Description

A beautiful pair of early English silver candlesticks. Lovely plain style in keeping with the period. Very solid and heavy cast metal with octagonal vase shaped stems over square sunken bases with canted corners. Hand engraved with a contemporary cypher below a Ducal coronet. Excellent colour.

Weight 864g, 27.7 troy oz.
Height 15.5cm. Base 10.6cm square.
London 1706.
Maker David Willaume, an important Huguenot maker.
Britannia standard silver.

Candlesticks such as these, with plain geometric styling and superb colour, are extremely sought after.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks; traces of the lion mark to each sconce. Engraved below with the original scratchweight 14=16 and 14=8.

Literature: Few domestic silver candlesticks still exist before the reign of Charles II. 17th century examples are usually made from sheet silver and are light in weight. Cast candlesticks started to appear circa 1685 and are much heavier in weight. The first loaded candlesticks appeared circa 1765 and are made of sheet, and not cast.

Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

Provenance. Sold by H.R. Jessop Ltd 07/06/55 £265.00

Both candlesticks are in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age including minor bruising to the sconce and base.

Maker: David Willaume

David Willaume, Huguenot maker, born 7 June 1658, son of Adam Willaume, goldsmith of Metz on the Pont des Morts. His first mention in London was in 1686 at the Windsor Castle, Charing Cross. Married Marie Mettayer 1690. Free 1693/94 as David Williams. First mark as largeworker undated probably 1697. Second and third marks 1719. His children were Anne, born 1691, wife of David Tanqueray, David, born 1693, and Adam and Suzanne, born 1694 and 1696, died in infancy. Willaume seems to have retired about 1728 (when David II entered a mark of distinctly different type to his father) and he purchased the Manor of Tingrith, Bedfordshire. Died circa 1741. David Willaume I was an important silversmith and enjoyed the patronage of the wealthiest clients in England. His many outstanding pieces display the highest qualities of rich design and impeccable execution. Among his impressive list of important works are the magnificent pair of wine coolers (Duke of Devonshire), the Luton Hoo toilet service, the pair of ivory mounted vases (British Museum), and the punchbowl and cover (Trinity Hall, Cambridge). David Willaume II, apprenticed to his father the master Hugeunot silversmith David Willaume I in 1707, free 1723. First and 2nd marks entered as largeworker in 1728, roughly the time of his father’s retirement. 3rd mark 1739. He became High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1737. Goldsmith to the King 1744 and 1746. Died 1761.

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